We didn’t get down to breakfast until quite late and soon after we sat down our name was called and Rachel went – it was a phone call from Tom. They had rung our room and then to the dining room. Rachel spoke first and then she called me over. It was lovely talking to Tom. It was 5.30pm BST. He and Nicholas, who was spending the weekend with Tom while Caroline, John, Becky and Hannah were camping and visiting Mary and Norman. Tom told me that Roger left “Cara” yesterday morning, visiting Jeffery on his way back to Norfolk. I was pleased to learn that Tom had enjoyed Roger staying with him. Tom and Nicholas had just had lunch with Con and Des.

Rachel and I decided to go into Jasper but just as we were leaving it started to rain. I decided to come in and got my umbrella. Rachel decided to go to Lake Patricia and Lake Pyramid just outside of Jasper. The lakes were quite small but the mountains at the North were magnificent and I thought quite noble. We walked around the perimeter for a little way and saw quite a few ground squirrels. They were very busy but when they saw us they scurried back to their holes, They soon popped out again and we took a photo of one. His front paws were close to his chest as if he were begging.

We stopped at Lake Patricia and read the information-it told of staff and Lord Mountbatten wanting ice ships for sailing the North Atlantic during the war and it was at Lake Patricia that was worked on in 1942.

Back to Jasper we looked at the shops and I went into one gift shop and bought several presents also playing cards and view cards of Jasper and the surrounding area. Rachel meanwhile went in the next shop and I went in to meet her – she was very excited at having booked a raft ride on the rapids. The assistant looked at me and said “you are going tomorrow?” They both laughed and said someone aged 80 years had been, so at 72 years you’d be alright! I thought this meant that I was to go but Rachel said “You can spend the time in Jasper shopping”. I was most surprised and had no wish to spend 4 hours there and in our hotel. I decided I would take a tour and booked a tour of Jasper with Brewster coaches. I had to be in the lobby by 8.10am.

Rachel’s Journal

Had a good night. Got up and had breakfast at about 8.30. Had a continental breakfast. Dad rang in the middle of breakfast.

Decided to go into Jasper but it started to rain so we drove a short way to see Pyramid and Patricia Lakes. Saw lots of ground squirrels. Went into Jasper for a short while and then headed towards Maligne Road to see Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake. Very bad rain and couldn’t see far. Stopped at Maligne Canyon before it rained really heavily. Took lots of photos and did short walk across bridges of the canyon.

On way back to Jasper stopped car at bridge 5. This was a very quiet stop and saw several elk around this part. No bears or mountain goats yet! Back to hotel and started new book- Man and Boy. Had supper in the lounge- I had grilled chicken wrap and Mum had a Caesar salad. Very tired and went to bed at about 8.45pm. Slept through.